Shootings of many Tamil films affected on Day 1 of strike by FEFSI; TFPC and president Vishal stay firm on their decision

Shootings of many films affected on Day of strike by FEFSI including Rajinikanth's Kaala which is being shot near Chennai.

After the Film Employees’ Federation of South India (FEFSI) went on strike from August 1st, 2017 demanding their wages be increased, numerous shootings in Tamil film industry were affected and many had to rescheduled because of lack of technicians. The employees of FEFSI placed few conditions to withdraw the strike to which the Tamil Film Producers’ Council (TFPC) and its president, actor Vishal do not seem to giving in. And because of this tussle between these associations, the shootings of many films are being affected which includes top films like Rajinikanth’s Kaala.

Films of Rajinikanth, Sivakarthikeyan, Vijay Sethupathi, Udhayanidhi Stalin and Arulnithi were among those affected on Day 1 of the strike while the shooting of actor Vishal’s Thupparivalan did not stall. Vijay’s Mersal and Suriya’s Thaanaa Serndha Koottam completed a schedule each a little while ago, and they seem to have been unaffected by the strike.

FEFSI General Angamuthu Shanmugam says that most of the employees and members of the association did not work on Tuesday, August 1st. “Around 10,000 employees did not work on Tuesday. Those films which were able to somehow manage with a few employees will also get affected soon as the technicians have been asked to stop working. Also, without the consent of All India Film Employees Confederation (AIFEC), it is not possible to hire technicians from other states,” said Arumugham.

TFPC President and actor Vishal says that the council has been trying hard to make alternate arrangements for the shooting of the film that have been affected. “I’m shooting in Chidambaram and Vijay Antony’s film is progressing in Thirukoviloor. We are trying to arrange an alternative for RK Suresh’s film and work should mostly start today. The Southern India Cinematographers Association (SICA), stunt directors union and dancers association have decided to stay neutral. They are sending us people from outside and those who are willing to work,” said Vishal.